O’Dowd considers FG leadership bid

DUNDALK TD Peter Fitzpatrick refused to speculate on who might replace Taoiseach Enda kenny amid the current party unrest.

Speaking to the Argus this week, Deputy Fitzpatrick described the ‘great deal of uncertainty’ within Fine Gael.

‘It wouldn’t take too much to bring the government down. Enda Kenny has declared that he won’t be leading the party into the next general election. This has caused a lot of uncertainty going forward.’

He added: ‘ No one is going to shaft him, but we want to know what his intentions are,’ said the Dundalk TD, who has long been a supporter of the Taoiseach.

Despite the uncertainty he added: ‘I think it is very unfair of anyone to be throwing their hat in the ring at this stage.

There is no vacancy at the moment, and I would like to see people showing some respect for the man who has led us into two governments.’

Meanwhile, Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd was amongst those to question Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s leadership at a party meeting.

The Drogheda man said ‘ new leadership’ of the party was needed.

While he did not directly challenge Mr Kenny, he said fresh leadership will be required at some stage. He also said preparations need to be made for the next election.

O’Dowd has previously clashed with party leadership over the issue of Irish Water and over the last week refused to rule himself out of the running for the leadership if it became available, saying he had ‘ lots of visions’ for the party.